White-Crested Laughing Thrush
A bold, amusing bird that is very entertaining in a large aviary. It may be mixed with other starlings and thrushes, but should not be housed with smaller types or very timid birds. It is also rather noisy.
The White-crested Laughing Thrush is a medium-sized bird species that are native to the forests of Southeast Asia. Here are some interesting facts about the White-crested Laughing Thrush:
- Appearance: The White-crested Laughing Thrush is a striking bird with a black mask around its eyes and a white crest on top of its head. Its body is a reddish-brown color with a white belly and black tail feathers. It has a long, curved bill and yellow eyes.
- Behavior: As its name suggests, the White-crested Laughing Thrush is known for its loud, boisterous calls. It is a social bird and is often found in small flocks. They are active and inquisitive birds that enjoy exploring their environment.
- Diet: The White-crested Laughing Thrush feeds on a variety of foods, including insects, worms, snails, and fruits. They forage on the ground and in the underbrush, using their bills to dig for food.
- Breeding: The breeding season for White-crested Laughing Thrushes is from March to July. They build their nests in shrubs or low trees, using grass, leaves, and twigs. The female lays 2-4 eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. The eggs hatch after 15-16 days, and the chicks fledge after 12-14 days.
- Habitat: The White-crested Laughing Thrush is found in the forests of Southeast Asia, including parts of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. They prefer dense, humid forests with plenty of underbrush and are often found near streams or other water sources.
- Conservation Status: The White-crested Laughing Thrush is classified as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation and agriculture are threats to their populations in some areas.
The White-crested Laughing Thrush is a beautiful and interesting bird species that is beloved by birdwatchers and enthusiasts. Its striking appearance, loud calls, and lively behavior make it a fascinating addition to any aviary or backyard birding setup.
Description:
Size: 30 cm (12 in)
COCK:
Back: chestnut-brown. Wings and tail: darker brown. Head, crest, and chest: white. Face: sports a black mask. Beak: black. legs: gun-metal grey.
HEN:
Similar, making it difficult to pick a true pair, although its crest is smaller than that of the cock.
Diet: (Softbill)
Coarse-grade insectile mixture and raw minced beef should be fed two or three times a week. Live food is also necessary. Mixed fruit of all kinds should form about 40%, of the menu, and the insectile mixture should be sprinkled over diced fruit.
This specie becomes very hardy after acclimatization and can be kept outside, needing only a dry, frost-proof shelter, free from dampness and draughts. It often attempts to roost outside even in cold weather but should be discouraged from doing so.
White Crested Laughing Trush Breeding:
White-crested Laughing Thrushes breed during the spring and early summer months, usually between March and July. Breeding pairs will build their nests in shrubs or low trees, often close to a water source. The female White-crested Laughing Thrush will lay 2-4 eggs, which both parents will take turns incubating for about 15-16 days. During this time, the male will bring food to the female while she is sitting on the eggs. Once the eggs hatch, both parents will take turns feeding the chicks, which will fledge after about 12-14 days.
If you are interested in breeding White-crested Laughing Thrushes, it is important to provide them with a suitable nesting area, such as a large aviary with plenty of vegetation and hiding places. You can also provide nesting materials such as grass, twigs, and leaves for them to build their nest.
It’s important to note that breeding birds require a nutritious diet to ensure they are healthy enough to breed successfully. A varied diet of high-quality seed mixes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and live insects will provide the necessary nutrients for your birds. Additionally, clean water should be provided at all times, and the nesting area should be kept clean to prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Breeding birds can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful preparation and dedication to ensure the birds are healthy and the breeding process is successful.
White-Crested Laughing Thrush Information
- There are about 50 different species of white-crested laughing thrushes. The bird has very strong feet but is a poor flier. They fly in a flock of around 100 in number.
- The birds have very soft fluffy plumage with very short wings and legs.
- There are extremely active and have the habit of hopping and prancing around dense forest floors.
- The bird is found around the entire stretch of the great Himalayas including regions like Assam, Myanmar, Southern China, Indochina, and such.
- The birds are common in evergreen forests that are characterized by heavy undergrowth of bushes and weeds. They generally prefer regions that have thick bamboo stands.
- They generally reside in the lower story of the forests.
- They have a very distinctive call. The call characterizes antiphonal vocalization and distinctive ringing sounds.
- To feed itself the bird in groups forage through the littered leaves of the forests and search for insects, lizards, fruit, nectar, and seed.
- Though during the breeding season, the bird stays in flocks it has been noticed that they stay as only one pair throughout the breeding season.
- In the wild, the nests are built in shallow regions of about 6 feet or 1.8 meters above the ground.
- The primary nest-building material for the bird is bamboo leaves.
- The breeding season of the bird is from March to August. But in zoological gardens or bird aviaries, the bird breeds throughout the year.
The bird is far from being under threat of extinction. The bird gets vulnerable if the second story of forests is exposed to reforestation. Traditionally the trading of the bird was done as popular caging birds. Since 2002, only Indonesia traps the bird for trading.
See more: Violet Eared Waxbill